Mechanism for power-driven washing machines



mam-79 Sept 11 1923.

F. E. ROBERTSON MECHANISM FOR POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINES 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 25 awuemtoz TEA/W55. P0555750,

*Sptc 11, wzs. HAWEW F. E. ROBERTSON MECHANISM FOR POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINES Filed July 25, 1918 a sheets-Sheet 2 IRL/bums Patented Sept. ll, 1923. y

lAtThW- earner amen.

FRANK E. ROBERTSON, OF CLEVELAND. OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE 1. A. GEIER COM- PANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MECHANISM FOR l OWER-DRIVEN WASHING- TEACHINES.

Application filed .l'uly 25,1918. Serial No. 246,653. i

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that l, FRANK E. ROBERTSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Mechanism for Power-Driven Washing Machines, of which the following is a specifica tion.

My invention relates to improvements in power-driven washing machines and the like, and more particularly to machines which are adapted to impart reciprocatory motion, such as the pounder type of washing machine; preferably operated by an electric motor mounted inunitary, compact relation with the transmitting mechanism.

The objects of my invention are the simplification, condensation and cheapening of this class of machines, through the mechanical and electrical features hereinafter ex plained in detail and set forth in the am pended claims.

I may first describe in outline, the embodiment of my invention about to be explained in detail and made the subject of more general claims. As herein applied, the operating mechanism is comprised in a unit which is adapted alternatively to operate the pounder mechanism or a clothes wringer being controlled for this purpose by a suitable clutch. The upper portion of the casing comprises an electric motorof relatively slow speed and preferably of some approved universal type, which is electrically insulated from the casing and operating mechanism.

The operating mechanism includes an ,in-

sulating gear wheel at the upper end of an angularly inclined screw shaft, which in turn drives a power shaft mounting the clutch. The gear wheel upon said shaft is slightly offset axially of the motor and cas-' ing. in order to afford a more compact arrangement of the parts. The angularly in clined driving shaft is provided with ballretaining members above and below for the ball-bearings thereof and the eccentric actuating the reciprocating mechanism also may be provided with balls and ball-races for reducing friction,as may the motor.

hearings, if desired.

It is particularly desirable with the while automatically throwing into service the supporting member. These with further details of construction and advantage will now be explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the lower portion of the operating mechanism. 1

I Fig. 2 is a similar-view thereof {the sec iron peing taken at right angles to that-of Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the wringer niecha-nsm from which the operating mechanism has been removed. N

Fig. eis a front view of the assembled mechanism; the same being. shown partly in section.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detailpartly in section, showing the transmitting mecha nism.

Fig. 6 is a similar view thereof; the section being taken at right angles to that of Fig. 5, and 1 Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary views illustrating the adjustable drip board of the wringer, with its attachments.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings 1 have employed the same character of reference to indicate similar parts.

As indicated, with this, class of Washing machine, which is adapted readily to be attached to and removed from a stationary tub, it is desirable not only that the motor shall operate the wringer as well as the washer, butit is convenient to attach the operating mechanism as a unit to the wringer structure itself, as. shown-in the drawings. The wringer a is removably attached by the clamps a preferably. to a resilient wooden. strip a mounted at the edge of the stationary tub. .-There is bolted to thewringer. frame, a compact easing 0 axially mountingthe electric motor I; in insulating relation at the top thereof. In order to provide a compact rigid worm-drive for the motor, an inclined, though suhstan chanically connecting means including clutch, and mechanism preventing the actuation of the clutch except when the work- .ing member is in a predetermined position or alternatively supporting said working members, substantially as set forth.

3. In a transmitting mechanism for power-driven machines of the class described, the combination with an electric motor axially positioned with respect to said mechanism, of a gear wheel having its teeth out at an angle with the axis of the motor, a power transmitting shaft, a gear Wheel thereon, and a shaft positioned at an angle with the axis of the motor, having respectively a gear and worm for engaging said gear wheels to transmit power from the motor, substantially as set forth.

a". In a transmitting mechanism for power-driven machines of the class described, the combination with a casing, of an electric motor axiall positioned in line with the axis of the casing, an associated gear wheel having angularly cut teeth, a power transmitting shaft extending transversely to the axis of the casing and motor, a gear wheel offset thereon, a. connecting shaft positioned at an angle to the axis of the casing and motor, having respectively a gear and a screw for engaging said gear wheels to transmit power from the motor to the transverse shaft, substantially as set forth.

5. In a transmitting mechanism for powcr-driven machines of the class described, the combination with a casing mounting the several members as a unit, including an electric motor having its axis parallel with the axis of the casing, a transmitting gear wheel with its teeth cut at an angle with the axis, a transmitting shaft mounted in ball-bearings at a corresponding angle to the axis, a power shaft positioned within the casing transversely of the axis, and means connecting the two shafts, substantially as set forth.

6. A unitary transmission of the class described, comprising a casing, a motor device centered within the casing, a transverse power shaft, an offset gear wheel thereon, and connecting mechanism including a worm taking with said gear wheel, an inclined shaft driving the worm, and a gear wheel with teeth inclined at the same angle as said shaft, substantially as set forth.

7. In a mechanism for intermittently driven machines, the combination with a reciprocatory part, of a power device for actuating the same, and driving mechanism connecting said elements, associated with a clutch and supporting means for said reciprocatory part adapted alternatively for preventing the disconnection of the clutch except in a predetermined position of the reciprocatory part, substantially as set forth.

8. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a motor device, of a lever arm pivoted to be reciprocated thereby, mechanically connected driving means interposed therebetween, including a clutch and a connected supporting member for said lever arm adapted concurrently to be actuated when the lever is in a definite position only, substantially as set forth.

9. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a reciprocated member, of a supporting device and a connected clutch adapted concurrently to be actuated. alternatively to release and connect said member for actuation, or to disconnect and support said member in a determined position, substantially as set forth. I

10. In controlling mechanism of the class described, the combination with a pivoted reciprocated lever, of a power-driven shaft associated therewith for its actuation, a clutch device, and a blocking member and support connected therewith and alterna tively adapted to prevent the disengagement of the clutch or support the lever in a predetermined position, substantially as set forth.

11. In controlling mechanism for wash.- ing machines and the like, the combination with an actuated reciprocating arm, of a power-driven shaft adapted for connection therewith, a three-position clutch for effecting such connection and a combined supporting and blocking member controlling the clutch and engaging said arm, adapted alternatively to support the arm in two positions of the clutch or prevent the disengagement of the clutch except during the maximum elevation of said reciprocating arn'i, substantially as set forth.

12. In an attachable washing machine mechanism, the combination with an electric motor, of a power-shaft, worm and gear connection between said motor and shaft, a pivoted reciprocating lever connected for actuation by the shaft, a connecting clutch device, and a combined blocking member and support associated therewith and alternatively adapted to prevent the disengagement of the clutch or support the lever in its elevated position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. ROBERTSON. lVitnesses FRANK J. Go'rrnoiv, ALBERT LYNN LAWRENCE. 

